5 Great Benefits of a Winter Workout

Are you delaying maintaining your winter fitness journey because you prefer to work outdoors, not inside? Don’t forget the benefits of a winter workout!

Sure, it’s a little chilly outside, but did you know that there are benefits to braving the colder temperatures for a full-body workout?

Before you resign yourself to working out in your living room, consider the benefits of working out in the winter. 

Benefits of a Winter Workout

1. You actually burn more calories. When your body is cold, it has to work harder to regulate the core temperature. This means you burn more calories in the winter than you would if you were working out indoors. This means you end up burning more energy and fat reserves! 
2. It’s more heart-healthy. The same way your body has to work out harder to keep your body temperature regulated, it also has to work harder to pump and circulate the blood throughout your body. Exercising outdoors makes your heart stronger and increases your endurance so you can workout harder over time. However, if you do not have a strong, healthy heart, exercising outside can be harmful. If you’re not too sure, discuss with your doctor to see if working out outdoors is healthy for you. 
3. You get your necessary vitamin D. During colder months, people tend to suffer from vitamin D deficiencies that promote depression, sadness, and anxiety. When you spend time outdoors in the sun, you absorb vitamin D that keep your bones healthy and supports your immune system against diseases. It’s important to remember to wear your sunscreen. Just because the weather is chilly and the sun seems weaker, it is still damaging to your skin. 
4. Enjoy holiday and Christmas treats without any guilt. Instead of trying to avoid cookies and cakes altogether, you can offset the weight gain by maintaining a steady workout routine all during the winter season. As mentioned before, you end up burning more fat reserves when you exercise outside!
5. You’ll feel energized and happier. Do you enjoy the rush of adrenaline you get after a nice workout? Working out during the hot days of summer can leave you feeling drained and overheated, but working out during winter can leave you feeling stimulated, refreshed, and eager to keep going. That’s because your body works hard to maintain your core temperature by releasing endorphins, which can help you feel great. 

Don’t Forget to Workout Safely

No matter what time of year you choose to stay fit, it’s essential that you warm-up and cool down. Chilly wind and temps can overwork your body to keep your core nice and warm, which can leave your muscles feeling stiff. 

Don’t forget to warm up and cool down so that your body remains flexible and fit. 

It’s important that you wear the right type of workout clothing. When you exercise, your body heats up. If the layer that’s closest to your body maintains moisture, it can actually make you feel cold. Make sure you use moisture-wicking material so that your body remains dry. The next layer should be insulating, so you feel nice and warm. Finally, you should wear something that is waterproof and windproof to counter against wind, snow, ice, and rain. 

Don’t forget to protect your ears and hands, especially if temperatures are below freezing. Remember, if your skin begins to hurt, you should head inside,

Protect yourself from slips and falls on icy surfaces by wearing shoes with great traction. Old sneakers with worn soles can be treacherous on slippery roads. 

Finally, always take your cell phone with you or a workout buddy. No matter if it’s summer or winter, you never know if you might encounter an emergency. 

No benefits of a winter workout can be complete without a healthy diet. Read on to discover some yummy winter recipes!

Now, bundle up and take your workout outside!